The semi-weekly fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1887-11-15
A MENAGERIE LOOSE.
An Accident Liberates Lions,
Tigers and Snakes.
Exciting Time at Railroad Depot
in St. Louis.

An accident occurred the other evening
which caused destruction, death and pande-
monium in the St Louis Union Station, and
for a time converted that prehistoric institu-
tuition into a veritable African jungle and
bowling wilderness of wild beasts. Six cars
owned by Robinson's circus stood on track in
the yards Lions, tigers, big snakes and other
wild beasts filed them. The station was
filled with suburban residents and visitors
from country towns The train was on Its
way from Dodge City to Cincinnati, and was
pulling out OF, OF the e. station ono when TINE tne
were scarcely off before a freight train
coming through crushed into them. George
SquireS, a canvas man, who was on one
head was cut off and his limbs were
torn from his body Blanche Fisher,
a performer, was hurt about the
head, one of the passenger coaches being
wrecked. Thomas Foley, Joseph Eisel and
one man unknown were seriously injured.
Others were hurt more or less but did not
require hospital treatment
The shock threw the cars into a chaotic
mass and attracted a crowd.
Suddenly voice screamed: MY God, the
tiger is loose" and the Royal Bengal bounded
into the crowd, which scattered in all direc-
tons One man was bitten In the neck by the
dazed and Infatuated animal Capt. Hercules
and other officers were present, but
they dared not shoot on account
of the density of the crowd. A
flight of stairs leads to the upper offices, and
up this the tiger sprang. Near the top he
met Joseph Charles, one of the clerks.
The surprise was all on Mr.. Charles's side.
Man and animal stood facing each
other. There was not room for them to
pass, and Mr.. Charles slowly retreated, fac
the beast, which glared at him and fol
lowed him step for step, preparing for
spring. Mr.. Charles shouted for assistance.
There were three women in the Office. They
did not shrek or faint They got chairs and
tables to barricade the door and shouted for
help from the window. Mr.. Charles got
into the office safely. put his revolver through
the slightly opened door and fired at the
Infatuated at every shot. At this juncture
circus men arrived with poles and canvas,
and after q struggle succeeded in overpower-
ing the brute. They threw. canvas over him
and pinned him to the floor, where they held
him until he was taken to cage.
Nine cages are demolished and two mount
ain lions are dead. The loss to the company
were liberated from the cages. A lion was
overpowered with pixies and canvas under
freight train, leopard was shot IN the
head, an ibex was captured slightly in
jured, a big boa constructor was cut to
pieces under car wheels, and the Bengal tiger
has three bullets in him and numberleSs pike
wounds. Eleven animals were at large ram
pant, creating a reign of terror in the southern
section of the city for over two hours.
Squads of circus men with firearms, pixies, etc,
assisted officers in capturing them. The last
secured was mountain lion, which fought
desperately in the ticket Office of General
Manager Taussig, until lasSoed with strong
ropes, nearly strangled and hauled into a
cage.